Getting the look of pity; or, as a vegan, abstaining from the new Starbucks food really isn’t that bad.

by nomeatbarefeet

I have worked at Starbucks for over 10 years. Of that, I have been vegan for about 2. More often than not, then, I have been able to eat the various food while at work. Once I decided to give up all animal products I had to give up my regular “sampling” of pastries which, let’s be honest here, is not something that I really miss. Our food isn’t terrible, I just have never understood why people go ga-ga for it. They drive out of their way for a lemon or pumpkin loaf; they crap themselves for a cranberry bliss bar; they shed a tear when we don’t have anymore cake pops. Sure, I can understand wanting a little snack or a treat for ones self, but I have worked the counter long enough to see when some is genuinely upset and distraught…and it happens more than you would think.

That being said, Starbucks is completely redoing their pastries—making their largest every investment in food—since having acquired the bakery La Boulange last year. I think it is fair to say that, for the most part, food has always been an after thought. And whatever you think of the lack of available vegan fare—basically zilch—it is promising that “25 percent of all offerings will be customized to individual markets. That means adjustments like using apples from upstate New York in caramelized apple cakes for New York City and offering sausage roll sandwiches in Chicago.” (Huffington Post) I have always been critical of Starbucks’ lack of local sourcing, so this is certainly a step in the right direction.

The look of pity comes, or better yet it came when our store partners met to sample and discuss the coming changes. Everyone at my store knows I’m vegan; they all have my back, and friendly joking aside some have gone out of their way to combat comments from customers that were…um, slightly uncouth (albeit said absent of the knowledge of my veganism). Because I couldn’t partake, I became the warmer/server (which was fine). When someone asked if I could have any of the new pastries and I replied that I couldn’t, I then got the usual “Oh no” along with the I’m-sad-for-you look.

Now, let me first say that I don’t think anyone actually meant to pity me. They know where I stand, and I have made it known that I don’t miss meat, let alone eggs, milk, and butter.

The feeling, however, is one that I often sense: that I am “missing out” on the experience (which I’m not); or that somehow I will feel “left out” (which I don’t).

To be sure, the irony of working with gallons of milk, of serving a substance that I believe to not only be unnecessary but possibly harmful…well, it certainly doesn’t go unnoticed to me. I have to stand behind beverages that I cannot ingest, and foods that I cannot offer any advice or personal preference on. This, more than anything else, is beginning to wear on me. Do I continue to work at a job that purveys animal products? Do I continue to take pride in making drinks, selling pastries, crafting repartee with people, even though I am opposed to the very ingredients that I am handing out? Isn’t it hypocritical? Doesn’t it smack of falling into an established bracketing of my beliefs?

These are tough questions that I don’t have answers to. What I can say is this: I am not upset that I can’t have the new La Boulange pastries, and I am unequivocally not feeling left out by not being able to participate. Just as I don’t miss animal products, I don’t miss Starbucks pastries…even less so! If Starbucks finally decides to sell a vegan food option I will be the first to try and get behind it. I hope that they decide to move in that direction, even if it is slowly.

Until then I will continue to ask myself the hard questions that force me to reassess my beliefs. I just hope that others would have the courage to do the same thing.

7 Comments to “Getting the look of pity; or, as a vegan, abstaining from the new Starbucks food really isn’t that bad.”

I have to say this is by far my favorite post of yours. I’ve read many of your posts and have worked with you. You have been more of a teacher to me then I think you realize. I knew very little about being a vegan. It has changed some of the foods that I ingest. My biggest change was milk. And it’s a slow process but if people knew what they really put in their stomachs they might change. Your choice to be a vegan is yours alone. People shouldn’t be sad for you or give you a pity look. I do hope Starbucks will add more options.

Found this post googling around to see if the new starbucks menu has any vegan items, as I’m vegan and would love to be able to walk into a coffee house and actually have something to eat alongside my coffee. I understand you dilemma, and I’ve often thought about what I would do if I were in your situation. I think if you want to see change, you have to ask for it — all vegans have to ask for it. I think if enough vegans walk into starbucks asking when they’ll get vegan items, starbucks will get a clue and realize that its customers are demanding vegan options. Same thing goes for ethically sourced foods, etc. Unlike you, I feel like I’m missing out when I’m not able to eat a lot of foods. And I don’t think that is right. We all have the right to eat ethically..and we shouldn’t be forced to miss out.

Rachel, thanks for the comment. You are right: if we want change we do need to ask, to make an effort for change. With Starbucks it has been very difficult to illicit any positive changes in the direction of sustainability or ethically sourced material. Working for such a large company, such a corporate-centric work place makes changes very difficult…and yet Starbucks is a very progressive company, they are usually ahead of the curve on things.

I plan on writing an open letter or at least make my thoughts known in some way. Thanks again for writing. I hope that my future ramblings are well received.

I liked your post. I understand your struggle. I am a nurse and as such I present hospital trays full of, and encourage people who need some calories to eat food that I think is pretty harmful. It does give me a chance to talk to patients about their food choices and about trying to eat more fruits and vegetables and less dairy and meat. I think it can be tough to serve things you don’t approve of, but it is also not good for society for people to cut themselves off from those who make a different choice about what they eat. You get to engage in conversations, and maybe your presence in the store does help Starbuck’s offer some vegan options in your location!

Thanks Bigsis. I think the bigger difficulty is just that I have been in the same place for over 10 years, doing a job that is not at all what I want to be doing with my life. I am certainly thankful for the many benefits that Starbucks has afforded me. Talking with customers and establishing connections; it is something I do enjoy. I try to share my beliefs with my coworkers, though it is a bit tougher with customers. With this new change in pastries I will most likely be telling people that I have not tasted them because I can’t. As I said elsewhere, Starbucks is a rather progressive company and I hope that they will hear the voices of those who as for vegan options (I plan on writing an open letter or expressing my opinions in some way).

I still have problems with them upcharging me for soy milk…..
The cost of soy milk over dairy milk is not that substantial, i buy dairy milk for my daughter.
I hardly ever go to starbucks anymore, but would be nice to have something other than a bagel when going there.

That has been a gripe of mine for a while now. I am surprised that Starbucks doesn’t just let people sub in the soy for free. I have actually been considering writing an open letter detailing some of my disappointment—between the lack of vegan options and the increased amount waste there are a number of things that have been irking me lately, and after being with the company for over 10 years I feel a bit dismayed about the state of things.